WORCESTER Wolves coach Matt Newby has been reflecting on the club’s winning form despite the season’s postponement amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Matt, who joined the club in July of 2019 after a two-year break from professional basketball, is keeping in touch with players despite the continuing global lock down.
He said: “I’m on the phone to the lads as much as possible, offering support in any way I can. These are unprecedented times for everyone so I’m just trying to help in any way I can. I really do love my job.”
“I’m a bit of a workaholic so I am probably driving my wife crazy at times working from home, but it’s also allowed me to spend more time with my daughters which has been nice.
“We fully respect the decision of the lads who had the option to return home. It’s heart breaking to lose good players but at the club we want to be about supporting our athletes. They have been brilliant examples as players and as people.”
Players Amir Williams, Mark Hughes, Cortez Edwards returned to the USA and Julius Van Saurs and Maarten Bouwknect returned to Holland pre-empting the postponement of the season.
The Wolves, currently third in the League, have been in good form this season, winning 18 of the 29 games they have played so far, securing the BBL Cup in January.
At the close of play they are running 3rd in the league with a strong opportunity to land a coveted home playoff berth.
Mr Newby added: “The cup win was an emotional day for me and a lot of the lads. Professionally, it was one of the biggest highlights in my career to date. Everything went well on the day and it was a just reward for the efforts of the players and the directorship of the club.
“I came into the club fresh off of a two-year break from professional basketball. It was a big deal to me to come to Worcester and get involved with a fresh programme. The roster was cleaned, and we started a big recruitment process and I think a good job was done.
“The student programme is the midst of a rebuild and Head Coach Dean Blake is doing a great job. Returnees Dan and Matt and new additions from the student body Nathan Ramsdale Owen, Lucas Mcgregor and Wayne Kitenge, all deserve credit as they have been integral to our season.
"They are humble lads and they’ve have looked good when they have got minutes on the court which has improved them as players.”
On the future of the season, Mr Newby said: “In uncertain times the decision is not an easy one, logically the best way if they have to make a decision to put things in order is to most likely end the season based on an overall record or win percentages opposed to making the season null and void, but it is difficult to qualify and quantify.”
“It’s the first time in nearly a decade that the season has been truly competitive, and I think we’ve shown the form required for a top finish and a run in the play offs.”
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